Impact of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation on Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma in First-Line and Relapse Settings: A Retrospective Study in China

BACKGROUND: Myeloablative chemotherapy supported by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is an option for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) in both the relapse setting and as postremission consolidation, but the level of evidence in this field is still low. MATERIAL/METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 47 HIV-negative PCNSL patients from 2010 to 2021. To assess the outcomes in patients undergoing ASCT. RESULTS: Of the 47 patients, the median age was 51 (range, 21–77) years, and 28 (59.6%) were male. After induction, 33 (70.2%) patients achieved complete remission, and 6 (12.8%) patients achieved partial remission. At a median follow-up of 21.4 months (95% CI 8.86–33.95), the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 23.3 months (95% CI 14.87–31.73), and the 4-year PFS rate was 14.6%. The median overall survival (OS) time was 62.4 months (95% CI 41.93–82.87), and the 4-year OS rate was 71.5%. Among 20 patients who received ASCT (10 consolidation, 10 salvage), the 4-year PFS and 4-year OS rates were 57.3% and 71.2%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, ASCT therapy (hazard ratio [HR] 0.16, P=0.016) and early remission (HR 0.12, p=0.003) were found to be independent prognostic factors for a longer PFS. Two treatment-related deaths occurred in patients with multiple relapses before ASCT. Pancytopenia and diarrhea were the most common adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: ASCT offers potential long-term PFS with good tolerability for patients with PCNSL. Our retrospective cohort adds to the currently available literature and identifies disease status after induction as a significant factor affecting survival.